U.S. patent number 7,771,143 [Application Number 11/367,551] was granted by the patent office on 2010-08-10 for drill bit assembly with adjustable drill stop sleeve.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc. Invention is credited to Jeetendra Bharadwaj, Carlos E. Gil, Eric D. Weeks.
United States Patent |
7,771,143 |
Bharadwaj , et al. |
August 10, 2010 |
Drill bit assembly with adjustable drill stop sleeve
Abstract
A drill bit assembly is disclosed and can include a drill bit
and a drill stop sleeve disposed around the drill bit. The drill
stop sleeve can include a locking collar that can be movable
between an unlocked position and a locked position. In the unlocked
position, the drill stop sleeve can be movable along the drill bit
to one of a plurality of drill stop depths. In the locked position,
the drill stop sleeve can be locked along the drill bit in one of
the plurality of drill stop depths.
Inventors: |
Bharadwaj; Jeetendra (Memphis,
TN), Gil; Carlos E. (Collierville, TN), Weeks; Eric
D. (Millington, TN) |
Assignee: |
Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc
(N/A)
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Family
ID: |
38471629 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/367,551 |
Filed: |
March 3, 2006 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20070206996 A1 |
Sep 6, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
408/1R; 433/165;
408/226; 408/202; 606/80; 433/75 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B23B
49/003 (20130101); A61B 17/1633 (20130101); B23B
2260/088 (20130101); Y10T 408/8925 (20150115); Y10T
408/907 (20150115); Y10T 408/03 (20150115); A61B
2090/036 (20160201) |
Current International
Class: |
B23B
35/00 (20060101); B23B 51/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;408/202,226,110-113,1R
;606/80,96 ;433/75,165 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2402516 |
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Jul 1975 |
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DE |
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3800482 |
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Jul 1989 |
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DE |
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19725401 |
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Feb 1999 |
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DE |
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19753574 |
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Jul 1999 |
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DE |
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2005572 |
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Apr 1979 |
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GB |
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Primary Examiner: Howell; Daniel W
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A drill bit assembly, comprising: a drill bit comprising a
plurality of drill stop grooves established therein; and a drill
stop sleeve having a hollow cylinder configuration wherein the
drill bit is placed therethrough, the drill stop sleeve comprising
a locking collar and a locking arm, the locking arm having a
proximal end and a distal end wherein the thickness of the locking
arm increases from the proximal end to the distal end, wherein the
locking collar is movable in a linear direction on the drill stop
sleeve between an unlocked position in which the drill stop sleeve
is movable along the drill bit to one of a plurality of drill stop
depths and a locked position in which the drill stop sleeve is
locked along the drill bit in one of the plurality of drill stop
depths; and wherein the locking arm is configured to engage one of
the plurality of drill stop grooves when the locking collar is in
the locked position.
2. The drill bit assembly of claim 1, wherein the drill stop sleeve
substantially prevents the drill bit from drilling beyond one of a
plurality of drill stop depths when the locking collar is in the
locked position.
3. The drill bit assembly of claim 2, wherein the drill stop sleeve
selectively engages each of the plurality of drill stop
grooves.
4. The drill bit assembly of claim 3, wherein each drill stop
groove corresponds to a drill stop depth.
5. The drill bit assembly of claim 4, wherein the drill bit
comprises a shank and a body and the plurality of drill stop
grooves are established along the shank.
6. The drill bit assembly of claim 5, wherein the plurality of
drill stop grooves are equally spaced along the shank.
7. The drill bit assembly of claim 2, wherein the drill bit further
comprises a plurality of depth indicators wherein each of the depth
indicators corresponds to one of the plurality of drill stop
depths.
8. The drill bit assembly of claim 7, wherein the drill stop sleeve
further comprises a depth indicator window through which one of the
plurality of depth indictors can be seen.
9. The drill bit assembly of claim 1, wherein the locking arm
comprises a locking tooth wherein the locking tooth engages one of
the plurality of drill stop grooves when the locking collar is in
the locked position.
10. The drill bit assembly of claim 9, wherein the locking collar
comprises a locking surface wherein the locking surface deflects
the locking arm as the locking collar slidably engages the locking
arm.
11. A drill stop sleeve configured to be positioned around a
corresponding drill bit, the drill stop sleeve comprising: a hollow
cylinder configuration wherein the corresponding drill bit is
placed therethrough; a locking arm having a proximal end and a
distal end wherein the thickness of the locking arm increases from
the proximal end to the distal end, the locking arm configured to
engage one of a plurality of drill stop grooves established within
the corresponding drill bit; and a locking collar movable in a
linear direction on the drill stop sleeve between an unlocked
position in which the locking arm does not engage one of the
plurality of drill stop grooves and a locked position in which the
locking arm engages one of the plurality of the drill stop
grooves.
12. A method of drilling a hole in an item, the method comprising:
providing a drill bit assembly comprising a drill bit that includes
a plurality of drill stop grooves established therein and a drill
stop sleeve having a hollow cylinder configuration wherein the
drill bit is placed therethrough; selecting a drill stop depth on a
drill bit assembly; and locking a drill stop sleeve with respect to
a drill bit, wherein the drill stop sleeve includes a locking
collar and a locking arm having a proximal end and a distal end
wherein the thickness of the locking arm increases from the
proximal end to the distal end, wherein the locking collar is
movable in a linear direction on the drill stop sleeve between an
unlocked position and a locked position, and wherein the locking
arm is configured to engage one of the plurality of drill stop
grooves when the locking collar is in the locked position to
substantially prevent the drill bit from drilling deeper into the
item than a selected drill stop depth.
13. A kit for field use, the kit comprising: a drill bit assembly
comprising: a drill bit comprising a plurality of drill stop
grooves established therein; and a drill stop sleeve having a
hollow cylinder configuration wherein the drill bit is placed
therethrough, the drill stop sleeve comprising a locking collar
movable in a linear direction on the drill stop sleeve between an
unlocked position in which the drill stop sleeve is movable along
the drill bit to one of a plurality of predetermined drill stop
depths and a locked position in which the drill stop sleeve is
locked along the drill bit in one of the plurality of predetermined
drill stop depths; and a locking arm having a proximal end and a
distal end wherein the thickness of the locking arm increases from
the proximal end to the distal end the locking arm configured to
engage one of the plurality of drill stop grooves when the locking
collar is in the locked position; and instructions for drilling a
hole with the drill bit assembly.
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present disclosure relates generally to orthopedics and
orthopedic surgery. More specifically, the present disclosure
relates to drill bits used to drill into bone tissue.
BACKGROUND
Surgeons typically utilize many tools during orthopedic surgeries.
For example, a surgeon may utilize a surgical drill in order to
drill into bone tissue, e.g., in order to establish a hole in which
a bone screw, a bone nail, or other device, can be inserted.
Oftentimes, the depth of such a hole is critical and the surgeon
may not want to drill too deep into the bone tissue. As such, it
may be necessary to prevent the drill bit from penetrating too
deeply into the bone tissue.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a drill bit assembly;
FIG. 2 is another plan view of the drill bit assembly;
FIG. 3 is a plan view of a drill bit;
FIG. 4 is another plan view of a drill bit;
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a drill stop sleeve;
FIG. 6 is another plan view of a drill stop sleeve;
FIG. 7 is plan view of the locking collar;
FIG. 8 is a cross-section view of the drill stop sleeve taken along
line 8-8 in FIG. 5 with the locking collar rotated into an unlocked
position;
FIG. 9 is another cross-section view of the drill stop sleeve with
a locking collar rotated into a locking position;
FIG. 10 is a plan view of the drill stop sleeve with the locking
collar removed;
FIG. 11 is a cross-section view of the drill stop sleeve taken
along line 11-11 in FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 is a cross section view of the drill stop sleeve taken
along line 12-12 in FIG. 10;
FIG. 13 is another cross-section view of the drill stop sleeve;
and
FIG. 14 is a flow chart illustrating a method of using a drill bit
assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A drill bit assembly is disclosed and can include a drill bit and a
drill stop sleeve disposed around the drill bit. The drill stop
sleeve can include a locking collar that can be movable between an
unlocked position and a locked position. In the unlocked position,
the drill stop sleeve can be movable along the drill bit to one of
a plurality of drill stop depths. In the locked position, the drill
stop sleeve can be locked along the drill bit in one of the
plurality of drill stop depths.
In another embodiment, a drill bit is disclosed and can be
positioned within a drill stop sleeve. The drill bit can include a
plurality of drill stop grooves established therein.
In yet another embodiment, a drill stop sleeve is disclosed and can
be positioned around a drill bit. The drill stop sleeve can include
a locking arm that can be configured to engage one of a plurality
of drill stop grooves established within the drill bit.
In still another embodiment, a method of drilling a hole in an item
is disclosed and can include providing a drill bit assembly that
includes a drill bit and a drill stop sleeve that can be disposed
around the drill bit. Further, the method can include selecting a
drill stop depth on a drill bit assembly and locking a drill stop
sleeve with respect to a drill bit. The drill stop sleeve can
substantially prevent the drill bit from drilling deeper into the
item than a selected drill stop depth.
In yet still another embodiment, a kit for field use is disclosed
and can include a drill bit assembly that includes a drill bit and
a drill stop sleeve that can be disposed around the drill bit. The
drill stop sleeve can include a locking collar that can be movable
between an unlocked position and a locked position. In the unlocked
position, the drill stop sleeve can be moved along the drill bit to
one of a plurality of predetermined drill stop depths. Moreover, in
the locked position, the drill stop sleeve can be locked along the
drill bit in one of the plurality of predetermined drill stop
depths. The kit can also include instructions for drilling a hole
with the drill bit assembly.
Referring initially to FIG. 1, a drill bit assembly is shown and is
generally designated 100. As depicted in FIG. 1, the drill bit
assembly 100 includes a drill bit 200 and a drill stop sleeve 300
around the drill bit. In a particular embodiment, described in
detail below and as indicated by arrow 102 in FIG. 2, the drill
stop sleeve 300 can move back and forth between a plurality of
positions relative to the drill bit 200. FIG. 1 illustrates the
drill bit assembly 100 with the drill stop sleeve 300 in one of the
plurality of positions. Moreover, FIG. 2 illustrates the drill bit
assembly 100 with the drill stop sleeve 300 in another of the
plurality of positions.
As depicted in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the drill bit 200 can include a
shank 202 and a body 204 extending therefrom. The body 204 can
include a plurality of flutes 206 that can extend helically along
the length of the body 204 from the shank 202 to a cutting tip 208.
Additionally, the shank 202 can include a first portion 220, a
second portion 222 and a third portion 224.
In a particular embodiment, the first portion 220 of the shank 202
can include a hexagonal portion 230 that is sized and shaped to be
received within a drill chuck, e.g., a keyed drill chuck, a keyless
drill chuck, or any other type of drill chuck well known in the
art. Further, the first portion 220 of the shank 202 includes a
drill size indicator 232 that is stamped, engraved, or otherwise
etched, in the first portion 220 of the shank 202. In a particular
embodiment, the drill size indicator 232 is a number that indicates
the size of the drill bit in standard units or metric units.
Alternatively, the drill size indicator 232 is a number that
indicates the size of a screw that is associated with the drill
bit, e.g., 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, etc.
FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 illustrate that the second portion 222 of the
shank 202 can include a plurality of drill stop grooves 240 that
are milled or otherwise formed within the second portion 222 of the
shank 202. In a particular embodiment, the drill stop grooves 240
are equally spaced along the second portion 222 of the shank 202.
Alternatively, the drill stop grooves 240 are unequally spaced
along the second portion 222 of the shank 202. Further, the second
portion 222 of the shank 202 includes a plurality of depth
indicators 242 that can be stamped, engraved, or otherwise etched
within the second portion 222 of the shank 202. The depth indicator
242 can be a number, e.g., 1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2, etc., that
corresponds to a depth, in metric units or standard units, to which
the drill bit assembly 100 can be used to drill into bone tissue.
Further, the incremental change between the depth indicators can
correspond to the spacing between adjacent drill stop grooves 240.
For example, if the incremental change between adjacent depth
indicators is 0.25 the spacing between adjacent drill stop grooves
240 is 0.25 units, e.g., 0.25 millimeters (0.25 mm).
In a particular embodiment, the drill stop sleeve 300, e.g., an
element or elements thereof, can individually engage each of the
drill stop grooves 240. Further, when the drill stop sleeve 300
engages one of the plurality of drill stop grooves 240, the drill
stop sleeve 300 can be locked in place with respect to the drill
stop groove 240. When the drill stop sleeve 300 is locked in place
with respect to the drill bit 200, the depth indicator 242 can be
aligned with a depth indicator window established within the drill
stop sleeve 300, and described in detail below, in order to
indicate to the user the maximum depth to which the drill bit
assembly 100 can drill into bone tissue. For example, if the depth
indicator 242 is six (6) and the units associated with the drill
bit assembly 100 are millimeters, the user will know that the drill
bit assembly cannot drill into bone tissue any deeper than six
millimeters (6 mm).
Referring to FIG. 5 through FIG. 13, the drill stop sleeve 300 is
shown. The drill stop sleeve 300 can include a hollow, generally
cylindrical first portion 302 and a hollow, generally cylindrical
second portion 304. In a particular embodiment, when the drill stop
sleeve 300 is installed around the drill bit 200, the first portion
302 of the drill stop sleeve 300 at least partially surrounds the
second portion 222 of the shank 202 of the drill bit 200. Further,
the second portion 304 of the drill stop sleeve 300 at least
partially surrounds the third portion 224 of the shank 202 of the
drill bit 200.
As illustrated in FIG. 5 through FIG. 13, the first portion 302 of
the drill stop sleeve 300 can include a first locking arm 310 and a
second locking arm 312. Further, the drill stop sleeve 300 can
include a locking collar 314 and a depth indicator window 316. As
described above, each depth indicator 240 of the drill bit 200 can
be aligned with the depth indicator window 316 to indicate the
maximum depth to which the drill bit assembly 100 can be used to
drill into bone tissue.
As shown in FIG. 13, the first locking arm 310 can include a
proximal end 320 and a distal end 322. The proximal end 320 of the
first locking arm 310 can be attached to, affixed to, or otherwise
integrated with, the first portion 302 of the drill stop 300.
Moreover, the distal end 322 of the first locking arm 310 can
include a locking tooth 324 than can engage the locking grooves 240
established within the second portion 222 of the shank 202 of the
drill bit 200. In a particular embodiment, the second locking arm
312 is configured substantially identical to the first locking arm
3-10.
Referring now to FIG. 7, the locking collar 314 can include an
interior perimeter 330 that can include a first locking surface 330
and a second locking surface 332 established therein. Each locking
surface 330, 332 can include a leading end 334 and a trailing end
336. In a particular embodiment, a radius of curvature of each
locking surface 332, 334 varies along a length of each locking
surface 330, 332 from the leading end 334 of each locking surface
330, 332 to the trailing end 336 of each locking surface 330, 332.
For example, the radius of curvature decreases from the leading end
334 of each locking surface 330, 332 to the trailing end 336 of
each locking surface 330, 332. Accordingly, the curvature of each
locking surface 330, 332 increases from the leading end 334 of each
locking surface 330, 332 to the trailing end 336 of each locking
surface 330, 332.
FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 illustrate that the locking collar 314 can rotate
with respect to the first portion 302 of the drill stop sleeve 300
between an unlocked position, shown in FIG. 8, and a locked
position, shown in FIG. 9. In the unlocked position, the leading
end 334 of the first locking surface 330 can be substantially
aligned with the first locking arm 310 and the leading end 334 of
the second locking surface 332 is substantially aligned with the
second locking arm 312. In the locked position, the trailing end
336 of the first locking surface 330 can be substantially aligned
with the first locking arm 310 and the trailing end 336 of the
second locking surface 332 is substantially aligned with the second
locking arm 312.
As the locking collar 314 is rotated with respect to the first
portion 302 of the drill stop sleeve 300 from the unlocked position
to the locked position, the curvature of each locking surface 330,
332 increases. As such, each locking surface 330, 332 can engage a
respective locking arm 310, 312 and cause each locking arm 310, 312
to bend, or deflect, slightly inward with respect to the first
portion 302 of the drill stop sleeve 300. As each locking arm 310,
312 bends inward, the locking tooth 324 that extends from the
distal end 322 of each locking arm 310, 312 can engage one of the
plurality of drill stop grooves 240 established within the second
portion 222 of the shank 202 of the drill bit 200. Further, when
each locking tooth 324 is engaged with a drill stop groove 240, the
drill stop sleeve 300 can be locked with respect to the drill bit
200 and the drill stop sleeve 300 can be prevented from moving
linearly with respect to the drill bit 200.
Accordingly, a user can slide the drill stop sleeve 300 linearly
with respect to the drill bit 200, or slide the drill bit 200
linearly with respect to the drill stop sleeve 300, to a selected
drill stop depth and rotate the locking collar 314 from the
unlocked position to the locked position in order to lock the drill
stop sleeve 300 in place with respect to the drill bit 200. When
the drill stop sleeve 300 is locked in place with respect to the
drill bit 200, the drill bit assembly 100 cannot be used to drill
any deeper into bone tissue than indicated via the depth indicator
232 on the drill bit 200 that can be seen through the depth
indicator window 312 on the drill stop sleeve 300.
Referring to FIG. 14, a method of using a drill bit assembly is
shown. In a particular embodiment, the drill bit assembly is the
drill bit assembly shown and described herein. Commencing at block
1400, a drill stop depth can be determined. In a particular
embodiment, the drill stop depth can be determined by a surgeon and
correspond to a maximum depth that the surgeon wishes to drill into
bone tissue. Moving to block 1402, a drill stop sleeve can be slid
along a drill bit until a set of locking arms on the drill stop
sleeve engage one of the plurality of drill stop grooves on the
drill bit. Further, at block 1404, the drill stop sleeve can be
rotated around the drill bit until a depth indicator on the drill
bit can be seen through a depth indicator window on the drill stop
sleeve.
Proceeding to decision step 1406, it can be determined whether a
selected depth is found. In a particular embodiment, the selected
depth can be determined by viewing the depth indicator through the
depth indicator window. If the selected depth is not found, the
method returns to block 1402 and continues as described herein.
Conversely, if the selected depth is found, the method proceeds to
block 1408 and a locking collar on the drill stop sleeve can be
rotated into a locked position. At block 1410 the drill bit
assembly can be installed in a drill chuck of a surgical drill.
Further, at block 1412, one or more holes can be drilled using the
drill bit assembly. In a particular embodiment, the drill stop
sleeve around the drill bit can substantially prevent the drill bit
assembly from drilling deeper into bone tissue than the selected
drill stop depth.
Continuing to decision step 1414, it can be determined if a new
drill stop depth is needed, e.g., to drill one or more holes deeper
or shallower than the selected drill stop depth. If a new drill
stop depth is necessary, the method proceeds to block 1416 and the
drill bit assembly can be removed from the drill chuck of the
surgical drill. At block 1418, the locking collar can be rotated
into the unlocked position. Thereafter, the method returns to block
1402 and continues as described herein.
Returning to decision step 1414, if a new drill stop depth is not
needed, the method can end at state 1420.
With the configuration of structure described above, the drill bit
assembly provides a device that can be used to select a drill stop
depth. Further, when a drill stop depth is selected a drill stop
sleeve can prevent a drill bit from drilling into bone tissue
deeper than the selected drill stop depth. Accordingly, when a
surgeon selects a particular drilling depth, the surgeon can be
confident that drilling beyond the selected depth can be
substantially prevented. Further, a drill bit index, i.e., a kit,
can be provided that includes a plurality of drill bit assemblies.
Each drill bit assembly can include a drill bit having a particular
diameter and each drill bit assembly can be adjusted to prevent the
drill bit assembly from drilling beyond a selected depth.
In one or more alternative embodiments, the locking collar can be
slidably engaged with the drill stop sleeve, e.g., with the first
portion of the drill stop sleeve. Further, each locking arm can
include an outer ramped surface such that the thickness of each
locking arm increases from the proximal end of each locking arm to
the distal end of each locking arm. The locking collar can be slid
along the first portion of the drill stop sleeve from an unlocked
position to a locked position. In the unlocked position the locking
collar can be substantially aligned with the proximal ends of the
locking arms. Further, in the locked position the locking collar
can be substantially aligned with the distal ends of the locking
arms. As the locking collar is slid into the locked position, the
locking collar can engage the outer ramped surfaces of the locking
arms and can cause the locking arms to deflect inward in order to
cause the locking teeth to engage one of the plurality of drill
stop grooves. Moreover, as the locking collar is slid into the
unlocked position, the locking collar can disengage the outer
ramped surfaces of the locking arms and can cause the locking arms
to deflect outward in order to cause the locking teeth to disengage
one of the plurality of drill stop grooves.
The above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered
illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are
intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other
embodiments that fall within the true spirit and scope of the
present invention. For example, it is contemplated that the drill
bit assembly shown and described herein can find utility in
non-surgical applications not described in detail herein. Thus, to
the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present
invention is to be determined by the broadest permissible
interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and
shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed
description.
* * * * *